SPLM’s demise or revival?

In South Sudan, stakes driven highly by tribalized political ills are high. As such, the morale of good conscientious beings in my own country is severely challenged, tested and suppressed to its honest defeat. While the weak-minded, the heartless opportunists, particularly some tribalized old guards of the SPLA/M, who accidentally found themselves in positions of power through the virtue of their commander-ships in the bush but far from merits and qualifications and they are now in desperate soul searching for means to degenerate Republic of South Sudan into tribal lines and total disappointing collapse.

Above all else, this is a senseless voyage and unacceptable intellectual insult to late Dr. John Garang’s sacred soul and his unquestioned sacrifices. It is a hopeless insult to countless martyrs who died in the course of our struggle for us (South Sudanese) and our next generations to be totally independent and free at last.

It is a regrettable betrayal and deplorable trend to unselfish scarifies of the “Red Army” or the Jesh el Amer or the “Lost Boys and Girls of Sudan,” whichever one called them, these little heroes who joined the movement (SPLA/M) at young age and who can’t afford to see South Sudan disintegrated into pieces.

It is an insult to the same poor young souls, men and women, who fought and died in the most difficult terrains in Sudan to offset marginalization, enslavement and injustices. Lastly, it is a heartbreaking adventure for Jesh el Amer and all South Sudanese youth who have been promised time and time again, and then believed wholeheartedly that the future of a free South Sudan belongs to them.

Truth hurts, but it is unfortunately true that the disintegration of the SPLM is very much so on our door steps. It is true that all the departed souls in the bush, widows and orphanages have grossly been forgotten, given what happened and where the nation is heading.

It hurts to see a once revered zonal commander in the personality of Paul Malong Awan is mindlessly in a gruesome leg of tribal groupings pursuit. A pursuit perfected and aimed to sink South Sudan into deep tribal feuds.

Not for any good sincere reason but simply to keeps South Sudan backward at its current primitive state, where merits and qualifications don’t matter but lineage and kinship with or without any kind of qualifications matter. Not for any good reason but to encourage abject coercion and intimidation. Not for any good reason but to give free leeway to crooks and useless personalities to dictate good citizens against their wills. Not for any good reason but to maintains unjustified Dinka Hegemony of RSS sensitive government organs.

These are examples of horrific consequences of unlearned war veteran acts. A fellow who never travelled in the globe to get a sense of how the world works and why other nations prosper while others are locked up into nonsensical unwinnable battles.

In so far, it appeared anyone who intended to speak the truth, moral codes and ethical principles in order to help weed out corrupted cronies and Dinka hegemony in the RSS to further enhance uncorrupted collective peoples progress and good governance beyond tribal lines is considered disloyal and a perfidy of highest degree in South Sudan.

In the past four months for example, effort to establish unbiased rules of law within the SPLM party has prompted unwarranted and mindless political bickering. And such continued to wobble the foundation of the SPLM as a party. As a result, SPLM is currently in a shamble and high road of anarchy. It is in a survival mood and desperate verge of collapse, to say the least.

This brings me to the question why I am writing this article. The uncertainty which showcased that 2013 -2014 will either confirm the unwelcome demise or revival of the SPLM. At the core of my own party, uncertainty is high and no one knows what the future holds for this great party.

At the centre of it all is of course Governor Malong’s recent statement, he lashed out on Governor Nyadeng Malek for abandoning her tribes-man high and dry. Governor Paul Malong against all abject odds and watchful eyes of President Kiir or blessing, Malong has chosen tribal alliances over nationhood and idealism.

Based on this disappointing fact, as a party aspirant, I am disturbed but not defeated. I however resorted to the most effective means to provoke public awakening. I write to enlighten my readers, my fellow countrymen and women, in order to help them clearly understand what a blinded statement ought to engender. Thus, I am of course referring to the Governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, Paul Malong Awan’s infamous tribalized statement toward Nyadeng Malek, the Governor of Warrap state.

On May 15, 2013, ‘Sudan Tribune’ reported that Governor Paul Malong made this divisive statement, “I am disappointed that I am being left to move around when actually Nyandeng should have been the one doing all these activities and then we come in with the support she needs. Instead of doing that, she is supporting other candidates. This is unacceptable. She should not try to stand in these coming elections. She should leave the young ones like Achol Achier to take over if she is not willing to support the president.”

What a man! What a poorly crafted statement! I wondered. Considering Mr. Malong’s stance and uncivilized lash out of Governor Nyadeng’s nationalistic position (if alleged as true), I have the following points to make:

First, Governor Malong’s position is not only tribally motivated but coercive and dangerously unfit in a sense that it preaches and encourages tribal groupings. It clearly gives no slightest room to other tribes’ men and women who pledged support to President Kiir’s bid for presidency come 2015 elections.

On the flip side, Malong’s statement has consolidated tribal candidates regardless of their visions and mission for the nation. Above all else, Mr. Malong’s statement has indirectly called for the somalization of South Sudan on tribally-based politicking.

Second, Governor Malong Awan’s statement justified tribal governance in the Republic of South Sudan (RSS). More so, the statement has indicated a serious political immaturity and sheer ignorance on his part as a governor and once revered war veteran. Irresponsibility and poor judgement in this juncture is one thing. While thinking that Governor Nyadeng Malek would blindly support President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s presidency ethnically is another serious political error.

Third, Mr. Malong’s statement placed pockets of South Sudanese who might be supporting the president at a disappointing position, especially the non-Dinka, and the marginalized Dinka who might not be from Warrap state. For instance, the statement squarely placed these individuals or groups as puppets or heartless betrayers of their own tribal men and women even though they might be supporting the president profoundly on the national grounds.

In closing this point, Governor Malong’s statement clearly indicated that RSS’s governance is based on tribal lines, which in my view is an intellectual insult to us the living and those who died for this country in the course of our struggle.

Fourth, if Governor Nyadeng Malek’s alleged position of supporting other South Sudanese candidates from other tribes is “unacceptable” according to Governor Malong, why should any other tribes-men or women including the systematically marginalized and targeted Dinka continue to supports Kiir’s bid for Presidency?

That’s what it takes for anyone to ascend to the presidency by mobilizing his own tribes’ men and women, according Governorn Malong Awan. For my readers and fellow citizens, this is how dangerous and unhealthy Governor Malong’s statement is for the interest of our nation.

Finally, Governor Malong’s statement also revealed a bigger problem and more so to the Dinka’s politicians and intellectuals. For example, the statement clearly revealed that the Dinka’s politicians and intellectuals nationwide are constantly being spied on and intimidated at will.

This is indeed a new disturbing trend to non-Dinka and even to some Dinka who might not be aware of this primitive expedition. An evidence to prove this hopeless voyage was Governor Nyadeng Malek’s recent visit to Juba where she was accused of holding a “series of meetings with allies of Pagan Amum.”

To say the least, this is a serious character assassination of the Dinka people. It surely undermined their long standing sensible logic of nationhood and idealism. Hence, it is unacceptable undertaking, however, the sole responsibility to submit to this newly founded political intimidation and trickery rest solemnly on the Dinka’s shoulders.

Beside Governor Malong’s statement, the just concluded Bahr el Ghazal regional’s conference and its adopted position to support President Kiir’s bid for presidency come 2015 elections and beyond. Though such regionalized conference is not the first of its kind in South Sudan, it is however the only first regional conference that categorically adopted its position as a bloc.

As a result, the question is whether such position is good for nation building or is it a “new beginning” to divide South Sudan into regionalism or tribes for that matter? The latest is true. It is the new beginning of regional grouping that reckons and encourages tribal politics with flying colours.

In my honest opinion, the Bahr el Ghazal as a region has unconsciously committed an irreversible political blunder out of emotion. Surprisingly, it is a gaffe copycat of 1970s when South Sudan was erroneously divided into three regions by Arabs to further weaken our political stance.

Without any doubt, such stand will haunt South Sudan for many years to come and it will encourage broader political misunderstandings based on region, tribe and even clanism. To say the least, both Governor Malong’s tribalized statement and the Bahr el Ghazal region’s newly founded regional alliance surely prepared a disappointingly disharmonious ground for total collapse of the SPLM party and a rocky road for President Kiir’s government.

In this fashion, the Bahr el Ghazalans and the Equatorians have conducted their regional conferences though the Equatorians’ position was well centred and more nationalistic than that of Bahr el Ghazal region.

Therefore, the region that has not conducted any conference in South Sudan at this stage is the Upper Nile. This far, the Upper Nile has never and is not preparing for any regional conference for the sake of national unity. The argument in this regard is South Sudanese did not take up arms against Khartoum’s rogue regimes in order to scramble South Sudan into regional blocs after independence.

In my view the region has taken a nationalistic position and must continue to refrain from madness and premature acts meant to further divide South Sudan into tribal lines and regional groupings.

In conclusion, I must stress that Governor Malong Awan’s statement and the Bahr el Ghazal regional conference position were misplaced and deplorable to say the least. Such positions are tribally oriented, unjust, divisive and more importantly, meant to destabilize the SPLM party and South Sudanese’s unity.

It’s also meant to erode and chisel out our youth’s instilled hope for a better tomorrow. These positions must not go unchallenged or deplored. If such didn’t occur, the doers might wrongly think they are indeed doing the right thing when clearly they are not.

J. Nguen is a concerned South Sudanese citizen living in Canada. He can be reached at nyolgaar@yahoo.com

16 Comments

Nyadeng Malek was on right side of politics but Malong have right to support whoever he likes without intimidation because these 3 candidates are on the shoes !
Dr Riek from 1991-2002.
Mr Mayardit from 2005- 2015.
Mr Pagan Amum with money ???
None of the above could bring changes we need .

My countrymen, we better focus on presidential’s term limit so we can hope that bad leadership will go and we try another one.
Author. No dinka hegemony alone, also nuer are second dominant.

Nguen, this is an intellectual way of analysing the current political situation in South Sudan regarding the so-called regional bloc gatherings.
Moreover, the four governors of Greater Bahr el Ghazal states are now in Juba to brief the president with the outcome of their regional meeting according to Sudan tribune. This is undoubtedly disturbing to ordinary south Sudanese to see their new country falling apart.
this shows that we are proving our enemy( neighbouring Sudan) right when it used to say, “we couldn’t govern ourselves for we are tribalists”. It’s embarrassing for us in the eyes of both Regional & International communities. We hope the president will change his way of campaigning for 2015 Election.

It is not new that supporting has been based on tribal line. Clear example is if you see the current government setup, Kirr appoints people on tribal line not on merits. We know many who are now occupying ministerial positions had failed in 2010 elections and most of them are indirectly or directly involved in corruption and Kirr is mute about them. These regional groupings are good but should not be like the ones of Bahr elghazal. they need to copy the style of Equatoria in which national issues are discussed and type of government system not endorsing of president on tribal line.

The other time people from baher elghazal and upper nile were hot on Equatoria conference, though it was very professional and nationalist unlike the one of bah el ghazal.

Good article Mr Nguen.
No doubt that the Greater Bhar el Ghazal conference was conducted for only one purpose and that is their support to Mr Salva Kiir. This public display of support for the president by his home region is divisive and unacceptable. The people of Bhar el Ghazal shouldn’t be holding the nation backward when clearly their son has failed the nation.
Insecurity, mega corruption scandals, lack of progress in building infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, roads and many other failures are all directly attributable to Salva Kiir. Let this man go home as South Sudanese have given him the benefit of the doubt for the last 8 years – 2015.
I am a Dinka and I don’t support Salva Kiir with his cronies of looters like Malong Awan anymore. People of Bhar el Ghazal, stop holding the nation hostage if the resolution from Wau conference is re
flective of you all.

Editor, J Nguen
It’s good analysis and interpretation. What should you know, is our party SPLM has divided so much. The political bureau’s members are too busy with their individual issues.The white witch and black curse are equal. which one of both demise and revival may resume SPLM ?. May God bless you and bless South Sudan Nation.

Dear J. Nguen,
Good piece of writing but you have mixed or confused what was purely a regional grouping for a tribal one. That conference had nothing to do with Dinka. It was only for those who called Bar el Gazel home and the participants were not just from Dinka tribes alone, they were from all the tribes of that region.
My understanding of governor Malong statement is that he expected governor NyanDeng de Malek to be spearheading the campaign for the reelection of beny Kiirdit because she happens to be governing the state where the president comes from.
Please avoid throwing in it any tribal confusion here.

Dan,
President Kiir should not necessarily be supported by only people of Warrap, any one from Warrap or Greater Bhar El Gazel at large has fundamental citizenry right to vote for any candidate within the Party of belonging based on who they think will lead the country better for the good of the nation. Why should governor Nyandeng spearhead the campaign for Kiir as if she is his campaign manager? this is purely tribal, full stop!

Anok Maketh,
I totally agreed with you that being from Warrap should not mean an automatic support for president Kiir and that govern NyanDeng de Malek was absolutely right to behave the way she did . You need to understand that Malong is now governing Northern Bar el Gazel because of Salva Kiir and the man feels he owe alot to the president. You also need to know that alot of senior government officials in our country including our president did not get there due to their leadership abilities. It was through their seniority in the rebel army.
Not long ago most Nuers and Dinkas from Bar el Gazel were on one side of political equation. Their main enemy then was the so called Dinka Bor. The Nuer group thought President Salva Kiir was going to hand over power his vice president Riek Machar and those on Bar el Gazel side thought Riek Machar would be kept away from aspiring for the president by his darkest past. Finally we are a country led by people who care about themselves and whose support is either regionally or tribally based.

When the three Equatoria states convened a conference recently to discuss national matters, this forum was awash with views critical to that conference. A young journalist even when overboard said Equatorians were tribalists and the issues they raised were trivial. We have now seen the recommendations of the Greater Bahr el Ghazal conference endorsing Kiir for presidency and governor Malong trying hard to bully Nyandeng. With due respect, there is no difference between Malong and Nyandeng; they are all governors in their own rights! Whether she is a female governor or not, the important thing is she is a leader. Malong and his type must learn to appreciate divergent views. Equatorians always set good examples for others to follow!

J.Nguen
you are really a good analyst, but should it happen that Kiir is not doing good enough so that we must run away from supporting him as the sons and daughters of Barh al gazal?
You are really a good analyst who is based in diaspora, but with the time who will support you or are you better of now?.
We know you are a traitor, leave us alone, you are betraying our nation where you are out..

To Thiep
10 years are enough for Mayardit from 2005-2015 but you missed a point.. the reasons why president Kiir needs ‘re-election is when the Dr Riek is the only option to replace him because dr Riek can not care of reputation and legacy because he knows very well that he has had lost his history. Guys nothing really good for being a president but legacy and reputations are very important like Nelson Mandela .
Equatorians oooyeeee.

It seems that you are caught between the two merciless killers and that put you in a situation where you can not freely make a wise and favourable decision. I would simply put it this way. It appears that you and your likes have difficulties making a choice between Dr. Riek Machar the masterminded of Bor genocide and President Kiir whose boys are currently killing your people in Juba and denying you the job you think you deserve to have after having contributed heavily in the liberation of South Sudan.

Brother, I totally, understand your frustration and I hope the people of the Greater Equatoria would not disappoint you by not accepting your call to step up their candidacy and campaign against President Kiir and Dr. Riek Machar in 2015. If worse comes to worst, please vote for Dr. Riek machar in order to avoid another massacre in Bor in 2015. Kiir is a Jieng and would not order a massacre on Bor people as Dr. Riek Machar did it in 1991.
I sincerely applauded your choice of candidate such as Governor Joseph Bakosoro. I would like to recommend Mr. Peter Bashir for you to add his name on the list of your Equatorian presidential candidates. He is strong, brave, well educated and nationalist just like Governor Joseph Bakosoro. I also recommend Mr.Eastern, Nyaputa, Umoja, South Mole and Elhag Paul if no Equatorian is willing to challenge Kiir and Riek. They are brave, honest and straight forward. I have a feeling that Any one of them could be a great leader for our Country provided that they don’t break up it and sell the Equatoria States to LRA and then move to Kampala.

Gathkouth Garang, at the moment Equatorians are not interested in running South Sudan because the country is so f#k up that it will take millions of years just to stabilize it. No. We prefer to watch you tear yourselves to pieces so that when we come we’ll sweep the remnants away and then only then can we build a new South Sudan.

That wishful thinking or dream would never come true in your life time. Nuer and Dinka would never finish themselves in the war no matter how they fight each other. There will always be a winner of the war and that winner will rule and enslave the Equatorians. You had watched them battling each other for the first time between 1983 and 2005 , yet they came out of the war and set up the government in Juba.

You, the scavengers would not have anything to salvage or celebrate after Nuer and Dinka war as they will definitely fight their war right in your backyard in Equatoria and you could be caught in the cross fire. Please watch your back and stop dreaming about sweeping Nuer and Dinka’s remnants after their war. You may end up being the victim or swept out of Equatoria by Nuer or Dinka. It is just a matter of time. So let us wait and see in 2015.

Hahahaha! Gatkuoth Garang, you qualify for the asylum for making such inane comments about Equatoria. Enslave Equatorians? That’s just wishful thinking. Without Equatoria, South Sudan would’ve descended into anarchy since 2005. Keep that in mind ya …..e.

J. Nguen,
Your opinion is well articulated but I would like to provide a bit of correction: Governor Malong did not make statement reported by Sudan Tribune which you quoted in your article. The statement was fabricated by Ngor Arol, a reporter of Sudan Tribune in an attempt to create rift between two Governors: Malong and Nyandeng. This is not the first time Mr. Ngor has fabricated a story, he has done it many times in the past and I urge you to make a little research about this “journalist”.

Sometimes, it is honorable to write on established facts. With this background information provided, let me conclude by saying that the integrity of your beautifully written article has been belittled by your heavy engagement on a fabricated statement which was never made by Paul Malong at any occasion.